PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kaupe Akuapehuale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and The Cat Matroskin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Kaupe Akuapehuale has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Akuapehuale
vs
Cat Matroskin

175 cm
26
132 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

159 cm
26
154 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Arcticus University: London

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kaupe Akuapehuale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, The Cat Matroskin!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Bruno Hogan and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akuapehuale thuds a left hand into Matroskin's body.
A low kick from Matroskin misses
and Akuapehuale connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A jab lands there for Akuapehuale.
Matroskin misses with a takedown attempt - Akuapehuale sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Matroskin wants to clinch.
A jab from Akuapehuale does it's job there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akuapehuale throws a shot to the body.
Matroskin takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Akuapehuale swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akuapehuale tries to clinch up.
Akuapehuale throws a right hand that misses

and Matroskin counters with a takedown into side control.
Matroskin tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Matroskin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Akuapehuale keeps working.

Matroskin is trying to get an arm triangle but Akuapehuale is defending well.
Akuapehuale on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Akuapehuale tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Matroskin grinds an elbow into Akuapehuale's temple.
Akuapehuale is trying to improve his position.
Matroskin landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matroskin misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Matroskin creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Akuapehuale prevents Matroskin from moving into mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akuapehuale trying to remain calm as Matroskin controls from the top position.
Matroskin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Akuapehuale keeps working.
Akuapehuale wants to control but Matroskin postures up.
Matroskin working the body and head with strikes.
Matroskin throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Matroskin working the head and body with strikes.
Akuapehuale is trying to get back to half guard.
Matroskin creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

Akuapehuale is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matroskin cracks Akuapehuale with a big right hand but Akuapehuale just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Oh Akuapehuale is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Akuapehuale knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Matroskin on the ground.
Akuapehuale is looking for a sweep.
Akuapehuale is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Matroskin asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Akuapehuale seems to have got his legs back now.
Matroskin is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Akuapehuale will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Matroskin in side control lands a decent elbow.
Matroskin content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Akuapehuale is trying to improve his position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Akuapehuale on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Akuapehuale tries to get out of the position.
Matroskin lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matroskin is staying tight to Akuapehuale's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Akuapehuale takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Matroskin working the body and head with strikes.
Matroskin lands some shots froms side control.
Matroskin trying to control the position but Akuapehuale is working away.

Matroskin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Akuapehuale is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Matroskin scores with punches from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Matroskin thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Akuapehuale taking a bit of punishment here - Matroskin scoring with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

The Cat Matroskin dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Akuapehuale lands with a cross.
Akuapehuale lands a jab to the head.
Jab, jab by Akuapehuale - just one landing.
Matroskin needs to keep his hands up - Akuapehuale had a free shot at his head there.
Akuapehuale lands with a hook. Matroskin tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Matroskin takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Matroskin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Akuapehuale really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Matroskin throws the left hand but Akuapehuale avoids the punch easily.
Akuapehuale throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Matroskin on the side of the head.
Matroskin with a poor takedown
and Akuapehuale counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akuapehuale lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Akuapehuale misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akuapehuale lands a nice looking body shot.
Matroskin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Akuapehuale circles away.
Akuapehuale misses the jab.
Matroskin wants to counter the offense by Akuapehuale and move into the clinch position.
Akuapehuale throws a big shot that misses.
Akuapehuale jabs at Matroskin's body.
Akuapehuale tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Matroskin manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kaupe Akuapehuale is winning the standup battle so far.
Akuapehuale lands a glancing blow to the side of Matroskin's head.
Akuapehuale attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Akuapehuale misses with a wild body shot.
Matroskin tries to counter by closing the distance.
Matroskin misses with a body shot.
Matroskin on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Matroskin takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matroskin. Akuapehuale does a little dance to reset his feet.
Akuapehuale is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Akuapehuale scores with a nice right hand.
Akuapehuale works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A looping hook to the body misses from Matroskin. Akuapehuale does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kaupe Akuapehuale is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Akuapehuale missing with a left hand there. Matroskin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Matroskin loads up on a big right hand but Akuapehuale slips the punch.
Matroskin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Akuapehuale.
Matroskin is looking to clinch but Akuapehuale is avoiding it.
It looked like Akuapehuale wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Akuapehuale swings widly with a right hand

and Matroskin decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Akuapehuale's guard.
Matroskin wants to control from the top but Akuapehuale keeps moving.
Matroskin engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akuapehuale controls Matroskin momentarily but Matroskin frees himself.
Matroskin content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Matroskin content to stall in guard here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Matroskin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Matroskin is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Matroskin distracts Akuapehuale with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Matroskin advances position into side control!
Akuapehuale struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matroskin moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Akuapehuale struggling a bit here.
Matroskin taking a breather here.
Matroskin is chipping away with strikes.
Matroskin taking a breather here.
Matroskin working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Matroskin scoring with punches and elbows.
Akuapehuale on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaupe Akuapehuale dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Akuapehuale catches Matroskin with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Akuapehuale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matroskin.
Matroskin tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Akuapehuale ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matroskin moves away.
Akuapehuale looks to land a left hand but Matroskin moved out of range nicely.
Matroskin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Akuapehuale.
Matroskin takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A slow jab from Matroskin misses its intended target.
Akuapehuale throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matroskin slips under a jab from Akuapehuale.
Matroskin ducks under a wild hook from Akuapehuale.
Matroskin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Akuapehuale.
Kaupe Akuapehuale seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akuapehuale throws a looping overhand right but Matroskin ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matroskin staying out of range there.

Matroskin has managed to clinch.
Matroskin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matroskin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Akuapehuale's elbow.

Matroskin manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Matroskin trying to strike off his back.
Akuapehuale trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Matroskin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Matroskin is pulling down on Akuapehuale's head to control his posture.
Akuapehuale wants to stand but Matroskin has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Akuapehuale won't allow Matroskin to sweep him here.
Matroskin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Akuapehuale's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akuapehuale has momentary wrist control but Matroskin slips an elbow through the middle.
Matroskin scoring with punches to the head and body.
Matroskin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Matroskin postures up.
Akuapehuale will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Matroskin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Akuapehuale looking to control.
Matroskin content to stall in guard here.

Matroskin drops back looking for a leg! Akuapehuale is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Akuapehuale manages to kick Matroskin off! Matroskin jumps back into Akuapehuale's guard.
Matroskin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The Cat Matroskin has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matroskin scoring with punches to the head and body.
Matroskin forces his way into half guard.
Akuapehuale is looking to control Matroskin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Akuapehuale avoid being mounted?
Matroskin lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Matroskin is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Matroskin drops an elbow to the side of Akuapehuale's head.
Matroskin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Matroskin is continuing to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akuapehuale is looking to improve his position.
Matroskin is keen to just control but Akuapehuale is a slippery customer.
Matroskin lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Akuapehuale is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Matroskin wants to take a breather but Akuapehuale is having none of it.
Matroskin slips a nice elbow through Akuapehuale's hands, connecting with Akuapehuale's forehead.
Matroskin looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Akuapehuale with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Matroskin seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Akuapehuale on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matroskin is pressing down on Akuapehuale's thigh, looking to free his foot. Akuapehuale is holding on for now.
Matroskin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
The Cat Matroskin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Matroskin has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... The Cat Matroskin!
During a confident post fight interview, The Cat Matroskin thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.